Saudi Arabia to Fund Dedicated Dragon Ball Z Theme Park Near Paris as Part of €6 Billion Entertainment Development

French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced on August 24, 2026, that Saudi Arabia will finance the construction of a dedicated Dragon Ball Z theme park situated in the suburbs of Paris. This significant cultural and economic initiative is part of a larger, ambitious development plan encompassing three distinct theme parks. The chosen location for this expansive project is Cergy-Pontoise, a commune approximately 45 minutes northwest of central Paris, specifically on the former grounds of the Mirapolis amusement park. This site was previously home to a significant entertainment venue, suggesting a strategic choice to revitalize the area with a new leisure destination.

The entire multi-park development is being spearheaded and funded by Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC). QIC is a pivotal entity within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The company is instrumental in realizing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a transformative national project aimed at diversifying the kingdom's economy away from oil and significantly expanding its entertainment, tourism, and sports sectors. QIC is also the driving force behind the colossal Qiddiya City project in Riyadh, a sprawling destination designed to be a global hub for entertainment, sports, and the arts. The total budget allocated for this three-park development in France amounts to a substantial €6 billion EUR, which is equivalent to approximately $7 billion USD, underscoring the scale of the investment.

This international collaboration is a direct outcome of ongoing high-level discussions between President Macron and Crown Prince bin Salman, with a shared focus on popular culture, particularly the global appeal of manga and anime. President Macron, known for his personal interest in manga, emphasized in an official statement that the project is designed not only to foster robust international partnerships but also to stimulate the French economy. A key objective is the creation of substantial local employment opportunities, with projections indicating that the three-park initiative will generate around 22,000 new jobs within France. The announcement was further amplified by President Macron via a post on social media, where he reiterated his commitment to attracting investments that support ambitious projects and generate employment.

The selection of Cergy-Pontoise signifies a strategic move to enhance France's tourism infrastructure and broaden its cultural offerings. By leveraging globally recognized and beloved franchises such as Dragon Ball Z, the development aims to attract a diverse range of visitors, both domestically and internationally. The sheer scale of the project and its substantial funding highlight the deepening economic and cultural ties between France and Saudi Arabia, particularly within the rapidly growing entertainment and leisure industries. This development is anticipated to provide a significant economic boost to the regional economy of Cergy-Pontoise and the wider Île-de-France region, positioning it as a major entertainment destination.